Valentine confirms Hopkins’ Brno MotoGP wildcard plan

Hopkins still plans to make it back to the MotoGP paddock
Picture: Paul Sturman

Samsung Suzuki British Superbike boss Jack Valentine has confirmed rider John Hopkins plans to make a wildcard appearance at the Brno MotoGP aboard a third Rizla GSV-R800.

The American has made no secret of his desire to return to the blue riband class and deputised for Alvaro Bautista earlier in the year when the Spaniard broke his femur at Qatar.

Rumours circulating in the Silverstone MotoGP paddock put Hopkins on a spare LCR Honda sooner rather than later, but Valentine says the plan had always been to field Hopkins in the Czech Republic.

"John’s made no secret of his plans to get back into MotoGP but he has remained loyal to Suzuki. He has had offers from a number of teams, including LCR, but it was part of his deal to race in British Superbike that he would be able to race at Brno as it is his favourite circuit," said Valentine, speaking to bikesportnews.com this afternoon.

"I think LCR wanted him to run on a spare next to Elias at Assen but I’m not sure what would have happened had it been or one had been crashed. As far as I know, there is nothing stopping him from doing that but he is loyal to us and wants to run out at Brno. John still has a job to do at British Superbike level, which is he thoroughly enjoying."